Context:

• The state government has taken measures to make healthcare facilities accessible to all by reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
• In this context, the chief minister has announced cashless treatment in government hospitals in the state.
• The health insurance coverage under Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana has also been announced to increase from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for each registered family under the insurance scheme.
• It means that from now onwards a patient can get cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh not only in government hospitals, but also in empanelled private hospitals.
• Provisions for cashless treatment has also been made for those who do not have registration under Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojna.
• For the purpose, District Collectors will be empowered to help patients in getting cashless treatment by directing the hospitals.
• In addition to this, Chiranjeevi Accident Insurance Scheme has been announced with insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh.
• As per the new policy, expensive treatment such as bone marrow transplant, cochlear transplant, organ transplant, blood/platelets/plasma transfusion and limb prosthesis (bone cancer) will also be done free of cost in the state at government hospitals.
• Earlier, in 2021-22 budget, the state government had expanded the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana to all.
• Some of the categories such as beneficiaries of National Food Security Act, small and marginal farmers, those covered under Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011, contractual employees of government departments, Boards, Corporations and destitute and helpless families do not need to pay any premium for the cheme.
• Apart from those categories, others families have to pay Rs 850 yearly to get the cashless treatment under the Chiranjeevi yojana.